Borders boxer John McCallum has reversed his decision to retire at the end of this year – and has joined the ranks of the heavyweights.

The 31-year-old has relocated to Guildford in Surrey, where he is sparring and training with top heavyweights, while his training and management team is in touch with international promoters to try and help him return to competitive action in the ring.

John, who has links with Galashiels and Melrose, announced at the turn of 2019 that it would be his last year as a fighter, after nagging concern over a shoulder injury.

His last bout was back in February, in Fife, when he won the unofficial Celtic light heavyweight title against Casey Blair of Northern Ireland.

However, in a “fresh outlook”, he’s changed his mind about quitting and now wants to prove his worth as a heavyweight.

John admitted he struggled to keep within the light-heavyweight scales limit, hovering somewhere between there and cruiser weight. So he decided to take the step up – although he firmly believes he is good enough and is willing to fight anywhere to show his value.

He has been training, building up strength – and even playing rugby.

He was, in fact, due to fight last Saturday in Warsaw, the Polish capital, but his Serbian opponent withdrew through injury.

John also has a sponsorship agreement with Staines FC, which allows him free use of Thames Club gym’s facilities.

He stressed his new direction was about a passion for boxing and less about the glittery showbusiness side or making money.

“I don’t mind giving away the extra height and reach – I want to show what I can do through talent as a boxer and not a ticket salesman,” he said.

NHS Borders is aiming to reassure residents that mental health support is still available in Peebles.

The health board came in for criticism after it axed its counselling service in the town this month.

A spokeswoman said: “We would like to clarify that the decision to amend the local service in Peebles was taken jointly with the local GP practice and was informed by the discussions with the GPs. While the previous counsellor will no longer be providing a service in Peebles the local community will continue to be able to access either specialist mental health and / or psychology services through a referral from their GP if this is required. In addition, either by self-referral or by a referral from their GP patients will also be able to access our Wellbeing advisor service.

“This service will provide mental health and wellbeing support and is available in communities across the Borders. Individuals who access this service can be seen in Peebles and are likely to have a shorter wait than was previously required to access the Peebles counselling service. Our advisors are trained to provide emotional wellbeing support to those who require it.

“Where necessary our team will refer patients on to psychological or mental health services to receive appropriate specialist treatment.

“These changes mean that the Peebles community will continue to able to access emotional support and there is no reduction in mental health input to the community.

“It should also be emphasised that this decision was not made to reduce access to services or to save money and the funding released from the counselling service will be re-invested into local health services in Peebles.

“NHS Borders will be advised by the local GP practice on the best way to use these resources to support the overall health of the practice population.”

Two protest petitions together backed by more than 1,000 concerned signatories have prompted Scottish Borders Council chiefs to reconsider their controversial proposals to axe dozens of the region’s smaller playparks. 

The council agreed in May 2018 to consult on the possible closure of 74 small playparks it says are underused and falling into disrepair. 

Instead, it plans to spend £5m over the next decade on six large playparks, three skateparks and four fitness shelters.

However, following a backlash from residents in Hawick and Kelso, two petitions have been handed into the local authority objecting to those plans. 

Hawick’s petition is backed by 660 signatories and Kelso’s by 492.

In Hawick, 10 playparks are at risk – at Bowden Road, Burnfoot Community School, Hawick Green, Hislop Gardens, Leaburn Drive, Mayfield, Millers Knowe, Waverley Walk, Wellington Court and Wilson Drive. 

Nine Kelso playparks face the axe – at High Croft, Meadow Court, Orchard Park, Rosewood Gardens, Springwood Rise, Spylaw Park, Sydenham Court and Woodside Gardens.

Those petitions were presented to the council’s audit and scrutiny committee today, October 24, so it could hear from the lead petitioners and decide how to respond. 

Appearing before the committee, Kirsty Wichary, lead petitioner for Kelso, asked councillors: “What do we want our towns to look like in the future? Financial constraints aside, do we not look to have a beautiful Borders with outdoor spaces for all to enjoy?

“How did we get to this point, where there is no money for these parks? Investing in new technology for education is to be applauded, but if parents had a choice, which would they choose?

“Technology isn’t helping our children to lead healthy, well-rounded lives. The stress of being a youngster in the 21st century is enormous. 

“We should be investing in more play areas and green spaces instead of taking them away.

“The thought of removing these playparks seems a very backwards step, a step towards a cultural desert and a future for our youngsters with more weight problems, more mental health issues and future generations unable to communicate effectively, even within their own peer groups.

“Do you really want to be remembered as the council who handed out iPads but took away the parks?”

Hawick’s lead petitioner, Greg Dalgliesh, owner of the town’s Think Fitness 4 Less gym in Hawick, was unable to attend the meeting due to a family bereavement, so Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer presented his petition on his behalf. 

He told the committee: “600 mainly local residents, parents and family members in Hawick have chosen to exercise their right to object to a proposal that would see 74 playparks across the Scottish Borders, including 10 in Hawick, the largest town in the Borders, effectively close as a result of a disinvestment of financial support from this council.

“The vast majority of these people and the many who support this action through other means are stakeholders in Scottish Borders Council. They live here, they are required to pay their council tax and, consequently, they have a right to determine how that money should be spent.

“I quote from the petition: ‘we believe in this instance ‘bigger and better facilities’ should not be justification to remove the smaller playparks that are situated in the various housing estates in Hawick and the Borders.

“‘It is very clear from the comments associated with this petition and via social media these smaller parks are still well used and have been described as a safe place to play and exercise on the doorstep of many homes.

“‘Not everyone can access the likes of Wilton Lodge Park on a regular basis, and children with additional needs also find these areas too busy and noisy’.”

Councillors discussed a number of possible actions including sending the playpark proposals back out to the public for further consultation and gauging the opinion of community councils in affected areas. 

In the end, councillors voted to support sending a motion to the next full meeting of the council, scheduled for next Thursday, October 31, asking it to reconsider giving authority to officers to determine which playparks can be closed. 

That motion was proposed by Tweeddale East councillor Heather Anderson and seconded by Selkirkshire councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol.

A counter motion, proposed by East Berwickshire councillor Jim Fullarton and seconded by Jedburgh’s Scott Hamilton, was also put forward, but it lost out to Ms Anderson and Ms Thornton-Nicol’s suggestion by five votes to three.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Wichary said: “I’m very happy that it’s going to have to go back to the council to be reconsidered.

“I’m assuming, hopefully, that our petitions in both Kelso and Hawick have given them a lot of food for thought and that we won’t see the closure of all the parks that were mentioned. 

“It’s very clear that there are cost implications, but I’m quite confident that there will be some sort of compromise made.”

Mr McAteer added: “I am delighted that the majority of the council’s audit and scrutiny committee have supported the Hawick petition designed to stop the council closing a number of our playparks. 

“Their decision will now resulted in this matter being referred to a full meeting of Scottish Borders Council where elected members will decide if further consultation and a reconsideration of this divisive policy will take place. 

“I am hoping that elected councillors will put aside their political differences and respect the wishes of the Hawick and Borders public to make sure our children and young people have safe and secure play areas near their homes.”

Councillors in Galashiels have added their voices to the chorus of derision that has greeted an error-ridden report claiming their home-town is among the unhealthiest in the UK.

A survey by Great Bean Bags this week claimed the town has the most fast food restaurants per head of population in the whole of Scotland, and dubbed Galashiels the “Greggs capital of the UK”.

But there are flaws to the workings behind that title and town councillors have been quick to condemn the potential damage such a slogan could put on the town.

Councillor Andy Anderson suggested the study is more like an April Fools’ Day joke than a report meriting serious consideration.

He said: “From the information in this apparent study, apparently we have two McDonald’s, five Greggs and one Domino’s. I would have thought that publication on April 1 would have been more appropriate.

“This appears to be a marketing campaign in rather poor taste when there are serious health concerns affecting most areas of the UK – a list of towns with number of fast-food outlets per head of population is not a measure of good or bad health, particularly when they cannot even get the numbers correct.

“Perhaps they should stick to selling beanbags?”

He added: “On a more serious note, I have spent many years in editing and publishing real research for most of the major publishers and this appears to be another example of faux research that arrives at a conclusion that is not backed up with any facts and presents spurious incorrect data to arrive at that conclusion and should not to be taken seriously. I would hope that it would be seen as the joke it is.”

Councillor Euan Jardine accused the study of trying to “demonise” the town.

He said: “I do not believe that just because we have a couple of fast-food restaurants in Galashiels that we are the second most unhealthy place in the UK.

“The report I am sure doesn’t take into consideration that Galashiels is a rural hub town. These restaurants serve the whole of the Scottish Borders population not just Galashiels.

“I am also sure if they reversed this stat and looked at the amount of sports clubs per capita we would also rank near the top of the list.

“We have numerous sports clubs and Galashiels has produced and continues to produce some of Scotland’s biggest sporting names.

“I do believe that eating healthy is important and encourage people to do so, as well as keeping up an active lifestyle.

“However, to demonise these facilities and the town of Galashiels is far more unhealthy to the psyche of Galashiels residents than a Big Mac ever will be!”

Councillor Sandy Aitchison also cast doubt on the accuracy of the research, but accepted there was a problem.

He said he was surprised not to see Edinburgh, “where every shopfront is a restaurant or fast-food outlet”, in the top five, the capital coming in at number eight on the list.

Mr Aitchison added: “This is one league table we should not be top of, nor indeed near the top of.

“However, I had myself noticed that everything that opens is about food. By the Darwin principle of evolution, humans will develop extra limbs to carry coffee cups, mobile phones and have a hand to spare for other things.

“The idea of going out for breakfast has increased enormously in recent years. This was unheard of even ten years ago. The trouble is TV has constant reference to fast food and how it can be delivered and saves time.

“Most parents now work and therefore it is a convenient and easy way of getting something without the hassle of preparation. However, I think legislation will come soon to try to encourage people to cook and prepare fresh food.

“I know there is a government initiative and also the council is currently preparing strategies around “growing your own” and “healthy eating”. Schools are very up on the whole programme of healthy eating and I am amazed at the cultural change in my grandchildren and what they eat compared to previous generations but will it have a lasting effect?

“It is easy to be righteous about eating and what people should eat but these places would not be there if there was no market.

“Nobody wants to go back to the WW2 rationing diet but trying to stop things with legislation has not got a proud history! We have to hope that education in hand with legislation will encourage more healthy eating habits.”

The survey, which you can see here believes there are five Greggs in Galashiels, meaning there would be one for every 3,665 people.

And by adding another two McDonald’s and one Domino’s to that total, it reckons there’s eight fast food restaurants for the town’s 18, 324 population.

That, if correct, would work out at one fast-food restaurant for every 2,291 Galashiels residents, but really the town only has one Greggs, which relocated from Channel Street to a bigger sit-in outlet in Market Street this summer, only one McDonald’s, at Wilderhaugh, and asingle Domino’s pizza place, in Channel Street.

The Nottingham-based bean bag company’s results, shared in a story by the Daily Record newspaper this morning, have left Borderers finding both humour and confusion in the where the extra four Greggs and one McDonald’s are in the town.

More on townsfolks’ reactions here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/people/galashiels-dubbed-greggs-capital-of-uk-in-half-baked-poll-which-sparks-confusion-1-5032006

Read also ...

www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/business/hopes-of-up-to-60-jobs-in-hawick-hanging-in-balance-as-flood-risk-concerns-continue-to-hold-up-plans-to-open-mcdonald-s-1-5031689

www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/people/site-suggestions-shared-as-fast-food-chain-kfc-eyes-up-galashiels-move-1-5007786

Borders MP John Lamont has welcomed a £1bn initiative to get rid of mobile phone coverage blackspots in rural areas such as much of the Borders.

The shared rural network scheme announced by the UK Government’s department for culture, media and sport today, October 25, aims to make 4G phone signal available in all but 5% of the UK within six years.

The scheme, billed as a world first, will require the UK’s four biggest mobile phone operators – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone –to share their existing masts and invest together in a network of new ones also for shared use.

That move will be paid for by £530m from the networks, almost matched by £500m from the UK Government.

Commercial operators will also be allowed to use the Home Office’s network of almost 300 masts across the UK currently reserved for the emergency services.

The scheme is intended to provide additional mobile phone coverage for 280,000 homes and nearly 10,000 miles of road by 2025, eliminating signal blackspots in 95% of the UK’s landmass.

Latest Ofcom data shows that barely half of the Borders has access to 4G signal from all four main operators and that almost a sixth of the region either gets voice signal coverage from just one operator or none at all.

Scotland is expected to be among the parts of the UK set to benefit most from the initiative, and that has been welcomed by Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont.

“A lack of mobile phone signal is a huge source of frustration for far too many communities in the Borders,” he said.

“This new £1bn scheme, backed by £500m from the UK Government will finally fix the problem of mobile phone black spots.

“Mast-sharing between networks will mean people get good 4G signal no matter where they are or which provider they’re with.

“I hope this deal can be finalised quickly and work begins very soon.

“A lack of mobile signal is holding businesses back, it’s frustrating for visitors and it is also really unfair for consumers who pay the same as everyone else for a worse service – and a lack of signal means people are unable to switch providers.”

Announcing the initiative today, UK Government digital secretary Nicky Morgan said she is hopeful that it will yield the breakthrough those living in rural areas have been waiting years for but also sounded a note of caution by warning that nothing is set in stone yet.

“We are determined to make sure no part of the country is left behind when it comes to mobile connectivity,” said the Loughborough MP.

“We are closing in on a deal with the mobile network operators so those living in rural areas will be able to get the fast and reliable mobile coverage they need and deserve.

“Brokering an agreement for mast sharing between networks alongside new investment in mobile infrastructure will mean people get good 4G signal no matter where they are or which provider they’re with, but it is not yet a done deal and I want to see industry move quickly so we can reach a final agreement early next year.”

Borders MP John Lamont and MSP Rachael Hamilton have hit out at rail bosses once again as cancellations continue to cause problems for travellers in the region.

No fewer than five Borders Railway trains from Tweedbank to Edinburgh were cancelled this morning, October 25 – half the services scheduled so far – and all five that did run set off late, although three were within three minutes of being on time.

That’s nowhere near good enough, according to Mr Lamont, and urgent action is needed to improve performance, he says.

The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP wrote on his Twitter account this morning: “There are more cancellations on the Borders Railway again and lots of angry travellers at peak time. This is just not acceptable.”

Responding to an apology from ScotRail, he added: “Saying sorry is not enough. No one believes you mean it. Just get the service improved.”

Mrs Hamilton is also continuing to call for improvements to services on the 30-mile Tweedbank-Edinburgh track, and the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP recently met ScotRail communications director Sue Evans and operations director David Simpson in Kelso to seek explanations for the cancellations continuing to inconvenience passengers here.

She said: “I had a productive meeting with ScotRail, but it was clear that we are a long way off a fully functioning and punctual Borders line.

“Replacing old rolling stock is crucial to ensuring punctuality, but there’s a delay in the delivery of these refurbished and reconditioned units on the Borders line which had been promised to ease the misery of commuters.

“There are still problems which continue to plague the Borders Railway and they were meant to be solved by clearing the backlog of driver training.

“I have been reassured that a fresh intake of newly-trained drivers will ease the driver shortage, but this won’t happen until the new year.

“I, like many commuters, have yet to see a noticeable improvement on the line, and I hope that through parliamentary work, I shall be able to get to the bottom of what improvements are actually in the pipeline.”

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “David and Sue found their discussion with Rachael Hamilton about the challenges faced by customers in the Borders really worthwhile.

“It’s important for us to continue to engage with stakeholders and local politicians, gaining valuable feedback from their constituents.

“When the rollout of our high-speed Inter7City fleet completes, it will allow us to make better use of our existing trains.

“This means most services on the Borders Railway will be operated by three-carriage Class 170 trains, increasing capacity in both the peak and off peak by a total of 1,500 seats each weekday.”

So far today, the 8.28am, 8.59am, 9.58am, 10.58am and 11.28am services to Edinburgh from Tweedbank have been cancelled, but the next one, at 11.59am, is scheduled to leave on time.

The Southern Knights, Melrose’s semi-professional team set to play in Scottish Rugby’s newly-formed top-tier domestic FOSROC Super 6 competition, starting in November, is part of a new rugby development partnership with Edinburgh University Men’s Rugby Club.

The University of Edinburgh is a natural connection for the Southern Knights, as it already provides its rugby-playing students with fantastic opportunities to train and play to their full potential within its highly regarded Team Performance Programme, while studying to gain a world-class degree.

The link-up will be mutually beneficial for the new semi-professional Southern Knights Squad and the best rugby talent the University of Edinburgh has to offer.

The partnership support includes full-time coaching, joint training sessions with the semi-professional squad and the University’s Performance Squad, supervised strength and conditioning at the University of Edinburgh’s state-of-the-art performance gym, joint analysis sessions and sharing of top-level coaching, sports nutrition advice and the potential for academic flexibility for the student players.

The first formal celebration of this rugby talent partnership takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at Peffermill, where the Southern Knights squad will train with and play the University of Edinburgh’s Performance Squad, which is still in celebration mode after winning its third Varsity match in a row, beating St Andrews University 62-0 in September’s final.

One of the new members of the Southern Knights squad, Tom Robertson, is currently studying for a degree in French & Spanish at the University of Edinburgh.

His dedication to his studies and his natural rugby talent are a clear demonstration to other students that there are now opportunities available to achieve academic and rugby success. The old adage ‘work hard, play hard’ could not be more fitting for this new partnership.

Robertson, said: “I’m so excited to have the opportunity to sign for the Southern Knights, as it will be a great experience to take that next step in my rugby career, at the highest level I’ve been involved with.

“Being at the University of Edinburgh, as part of the Performance Programme for the last four years, with the fantastic facilities and coaching has helped me massively to reach this level. I’m very excited to get started.”

Southern Knights head coach Rob Chrystie said: “Providing valuable opportunities for our up-and-coming rugby talent in Scotland has always been hugely important to me personally.

“I’m thrilled to be part of a wider team at the Southern Knights that shares this passion. It’s great to see players like Tom benefiting so much from the excellent support facilities at The University of Edinburgh. He’s got a fantastic attitude and clearly has great potential.

“I look forward to seeing the impact he’ll have on the pitch as we start the new FOSROC Super6 tournament.”

Head of Performance Rugby at the University of Edinburgh, David Adamson, said: “It’s hard juggling the joint commitments of studying and playing rugby at a high level. These young players deserve the highest level of support, guidance, training and playing opportunities and so we’re proud of the Team Performance Programme that we’ve developed here at the University that provides this for them.

“This new partnership with the Southern Knights adds another dimension to this and creates a clear and structured pathway that will provide our student players with a fantastic opportunity to develop their rugby further within a semi-professional environment.”

A former Galashiels dental surgery could soon be alive with the sound of music if plans submitted to Scottish Borders Council this week are given the go-ahead.

Roddy Matthews, of Bingfield, near Matfen in Northumberland, hopes to open a music school in the former dentist’s at 6 Roxburgh Place.

The building is currently for sale, but if given approval, Mr Matthews hopes to purchase the single-storey unit to run alongside his already-established school in Thropton, Northumberland.

The Music Coach Borders owner wrote in a letter to planners: “We have identified for some time a specialist need for private tuition in music.

“We consider this property is ideal for the purpose as it occcupies a semi-commercial position near the centre of Galashiels, near a busy road and with the Galashiels Rugby Social Club next door.”

Mr Matthews also provides assurances that tuition will be finished no later than 10pm, windows will be triple-glazed and the rooms will be sound-proofed and insulated.

A 41-year-old man has been ordered to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work after admitting being involved in a disturbance at his Galashiels home.

Neil Wilkinson pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in his Larchbank Street home on June 30.

He admitted shouting and swearing and making threatening, offensive and abusive remarks, as well as brandishing a knife.

A man has been fined £300 for assaulting a disabled person in a wheelchair during a row over an unpaid debt.

William McConnell, 36, of Park Avenue in Walkerburn, pleaded guilty to striking the man with a pole repeatedly to the head and body at Cherry Park in Tweedbank on August 21.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told there was a confrontation between the two men in the garden of the property and the man in the wheelchair was also armed, with a knife and metal pole.

McConnell grabbed the pole off the man and struck him several times with it, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client had been repeatedly asking for money he said he was owed and had decided to force the issue.

He added: “It is not as bad as it looks like on the charge.”

A Kelso butcher is set to expand into the restaurant business with a new bistro in the town centre. 

Scott Hunter, owner of Hunter’s Butchers and Delicatessen at 44 Bridge Street, has had his plans to open up a bistro adjacent to his current premises approved by Scottish Borders Council. 

The 51-year-old was granted planning consent for partial change of use of the former Cloud Nine homeware shop at No 40 in August, and now he’s had an application for an alcohol licence approved too.

Mr Hunter plans to open a bistro there, operating from 11am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11am until midnight on all other days of the week. 

Appearing before the council’s licensing board today, October 25, Mr Hunter told councillors: “I’ve been in business for just over a year and a half now, and when the shop adjacent to me came up for rent, it was suggested it was prime for a restaurant opportunity. 

“I think it will work really well for the town, and obviously the on-sale won’t be for the butcher’s shop. It will be for the cafe-bistro. 

“I think this will be an asset for Kelso.”

Councillors also heard from licensing officers and were told that no objections had been received from Police Scotland or members of the public and that the sale of alcohol would be via table service in the bistro. 

Kelso councillor Tom Weatherston greeted the application warmly, telling the chamber: “I think this is quite an exciting proposal, and I welcome this.

“The cafe will be in a location where I think footfall has fallen recently, and this will help to combat that. 

“It’s in a prime location and, as you say, I think this will be an asset to Kelso and I’m happy to approve it.”

Opening a bistro will be nothing new for Mr Hunter, having run the award-winning Harrow Inn gastropub near Newbury in Berkshire for eight years. 

The father of two, of Sunlaws, near Kelso, also ran the Fleece in Witney, Oxfordshire, for four years before moving back to the Borders 14 years ago.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the application.

Plans to open the first hotel of its kind in the Borders have been rubber-stamped by council chiefs now it has been granted a premises licence too. 

Following the granting of planning permission for a 71-bed Premier Inn at Tweedbank in September, the UK’s largest hotel brand has now also been given permission to sell alcohol there by Scottish Borders Council’s licensing board. 

The hotel is part of the controversial £10m Borders Gateway development off Tweedbank Drive, including a BP fuel station, Marks and Spencer food kiosk and drive-through Costa cafe.

It will be the first branded discount hotel in the region.

At a meeting of the council’s licensing board today, October 25, solicitor Christopher Grunert appeared on behalf of Whitbread, the Bedfordshiree-based parent company of Premier Inn. 

Mr Grunert, of Sheffield-based law firm John Gaunt and Partners, told councillors: “This in an application for a new Premier Inn.

“The site is yet to be developed but it is adjacent to the Tweedbank Industrial Estate and about a quarter of a mile down that road is Tweedbank railway station. 

“We think this is a perfect location for a new Premier Inn, and we’re proposing a 71-bed establishment that we’re hoping will act as a gateway to the beautiful countryside here in the Scottish Borders.

“We have included off-sales as we have a very limited off-sales display area, and those sales generally come from people who are dining at the premises and buying a bottle of wine but not finishing it and wanting to take it home. 

“We don’t have any sort of trade in selling bottles of beer and wine. 

“We have addressed children’s access and will allow children onto the premises until 10pm if accompanied by an adult.”

The hotel will be able to accommodate 213 people, and the bar and restaurant, which will be open from 11am until 1am on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays and up until midnight on all other days, will cater for up to 66 people at a time. 

There will also be a 64sq m outdoor seating area. 

Speaking in support of the application, Kelso councillor Tom Weatherston told the licensing board: “The first thing I’d like to say is that I’m glad that the objectives of this licensing committee have been met, and there are no objections to this. 

“Secondly, the only thing left to say is that I think this is a hugely exciting prospect for the whole of the Borders. 

“This is something the Borders has needed for a long time, and I’m delighted to support this application.”

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the application.

The Borders Gateway development, being overseen by Edinburgh-based developer New Land Assets, is expected to create 80 jobs.

With Bonfire Night approaching, a new campaign aims to raise awareness of the potentially damaging impact the legitimate use of fireworks can have on those around you – such as those with noise sensitivity, including autistic people, veterans and animals.

The Impact of Fireworks campaign urges people to think of others and to stay safe by attending a local organised event.

Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s director of prevention and protection, said: “While we want people to enjoy and celebrate Bonfire Night, we’d encourage everyone to leave the fireworks to the experts and find an organised display nearby.

“If you’re not attending a public display, it’s imperative that you follow the fireworks code.

“Sparklers are also very popular at this time of year. They’re very hot and stay hot for a long time after they’ve been extinguished.

“Our website has safety advice for anyone thinking of purchasing sparklers or fireworks.

“The fifth of November is our busiest night of the year by up to four times.

“By attending an official display, you can help ensure our resources aren’t delayed for someone who really needs our assistance.”

Fireworks can raise background noise levels by several decibels which can cause particular distress to those with noise sensitivity, including autistic people.

The unexpected nature of private firework displays can also cause anxiety and stress.

Bonfire night can be an especially difficult time for many veterans with the loud bangs, bright lights and strong smells from fireworks causing serious anguish.

And the fear response to noise from fireworks can have an adverse impact on animals and can lead to stress, fear or even phobia responses. It’s estimated that 45 per cent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks.

Fiona Clarke, an autistic person living in Scotland, has supported the campaign. She said: “I think visually fireworks are a sensory delight and portray celebration, but for some people with and even without sensory issues, the noise, flashes of light, together with the unpredictable nature of how long they will go on for, can be overwhelming.

“It’s not just sensory issues that can cause some autistic people difficulty with fireworks, as some may simply not understand what Bonfire Night is or what to expect.

“I think this campaign is very important in raising awareness of the negative impact fireworks could have on others and encouraging people to be more mindful of that by attending local organised fireworks displays.”

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA head of education and policy, added: “For years we have supported tighter restrictions on public use due to the stress and anxiety caused to animals.

“Most calls report animals being injured trying to escape the noise of fireworks, including dogs running on to roads and being hit by oncoming traffic, swans flying into electricity pylons and horses being badly hurt after running through barbed wire fences.

“We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to improve animal welfare surrounding the use of fireworks.”

For more information on fireworks safety and organised displays in your area, go to Fire Scotland: Fireworks Safety

Britannia has been rated the worst hotel chain by customers for the seventh year running, while Premier Inn and Wetherspoon hotels topped the poll. 8,000 customers rated more than 40 different hotel chains on issues like cleanliness, customer service and value for money. The chains were given a percentage for overall performance. In some of the worst cases at Britannia Hotels, stains not visible to the naked eye showed up on bed sheets and in bathtubs under UV light. Which? Travel’s Rory Boland said: “There really is no excuse for the grubby bathtubs and filthy rooms that we have seen year after year with Britannia, so it is best to avoid them.” These are the top 5 best and worst rated hotel chains.

Former UK Government Scottish secretary David Mundell is being given another chance to retain the Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency he has held since its creation 14 years ago.

Mr Mundell, Scottish secretary from 2015 until July this year, has been reselected as the Conservatives’ prospective parliamentary candidate for his Westminster seat at the next general election.

“It has always been a great privilege to represent such a fantastic and diverse rural constituency, and I’m sincerely grateful party members have again given me their backing,” said the Dumfries-born 57-year-old, a father of three.

“I look forward to standing on my record at the forthcoming election.

“My aim, as always, is to be a diligent, community-minded MP who puts constituents first.

“A vote for me will be the only effective way locally to halt the SNP’s obsession with independence and the damaging consequences splitting up the UK would bring.”

Prior to winning his current Westminster seat, the former corporate lawyer was a Conservative list MSP for South of Scotland from 1999 to 2005.

No date has yet been set for the next general election, but MPs are due to vote tonight, October 28, on UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s suggestion of Thursday, December 12.

Mr Mundell will be up against the Scottish National Party’s Amanda Burgauer, Liberal Democrat John Ferry and Labour’s Nick Chisholm, plus any candidates yet to declare.

Ms Burgauer, of Elvanfoot in South Lanarkshire, said: “Living here, I see every day what a great place this is to live and work, but I can also see many ways in which we could make it better.

“As well as personal connections to the area, I have many professional and voluntary connections to the communities of the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency.

“I’m the volunteer chair of Scottish Rural Action, the organisation tasked with being a voice of rural Scotland, in particular its rural communities, and organising the rural parliament.

“For the past 18 months, I’ve also served as a member of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership, leading its infrastructure theme group. I have focussed on exploring how the new enterprise agency could address the transport and digital infrastructure challenges that are experienced right across the south of Scotland.

“The diversity and rurality of our constituency means we have complex challenges, and many of those challenges are compounded by lack of transport and digital connectivity.

“Addressing those challenges will be a priority for me because sorting out our transport and digital infrastructure is the key to unlocking the potential of our constituency.

“I understand that whatever our own circumstances, the choices we make in our personal and professional lives are often constrained by rurality and geography.

“I would like to see a more level playing field for the people and communities of this constituency.

“Our constituency is the heart of the south of Scotland, not the periphery of the central belt.

“If elected to serve as your MP, I will strive to put our communities on the map and get our needs prioritised.

“The people of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale are exceptional in their resilience, from coping with job losses positively in towns such as Annan and Langholm through the many community initiatives across the constituency.

“There are more community groups in Biggar and Peebles than most towns of equivalent sizes, and the communities of Upper Nithsdale are doing really exciting things with tourism, but our communities can’t do it all themselves.

“Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale needs someone who can speak up, identify solutions and make things happen.

“We need a strong voice to represent our constituency’s needs, with a focus on securing resources and profile to improve the quality of life, infrastructure and the opportunities for everyone who lives here.

“I would like to be that voice, standing up for our constituency and our country.

“There has never been a more important time to make sure our voice is heard.

Mr Ferry, of Peebles, said: “The biggest threats to jobs and prosperity for the people of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale are a nationalist-engineered separation of Scotland from the UK, and a Tory-engineered hard exit of the UK from the EU.

“Only the Liberal Democrats are working to remove these risks to our economy.

“The only party of unity left is the Liberal Democrats, and I urge those who really do believe that there is more that unites us than divides us to give me their support.”

The 42-year-old father of two, boss of a media relations consultancy, stood against Mr Mundell at 2017’s general election, polling 1,949 votes, 4% of the 48,964 cast.

Mr Mundell won with 49.4% of the vote, giving him a 9,441 majority, up almost 18% on 2015’s election.

He polled 24,177 votes, ahead of the SNP’s Mairi McAllan on 14,736 and Labour’s Douglas Beattie on 8,102.

Mr Chisholm, of Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “I am honoured to have been selected by Labour members to stand for Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale, a place I am proud to call home.

“I have a range of experience in supporting local environmental projects which created local jobs and supported our proud local communities.

“Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale needs a MP who will stand up, support and champion our local initiatives and people on a regional and national level.

“Brexit is currently the biggest issue that we face as a country.

“Unlike our current Tory MP, I will stand up for local people and businesses who value our close relationship with European partners.

“I will not support Boris Johnson’s damaging Brexit deal, which would result in a reduction in trade, loss of jobs and fall in living standards, and will campaign for a people’s vote to end the current Brexit impasse.”

More than half of British families are drawing inspiration from Brexit for their Halloween plans this year, with Boris Johnson named the 'ghastliest figure of the 21st century', according to new research by Beano. Kids are also favouring modern, pop culture outfits to mark the occasion over the classic scary ghosts, witches and vampires. If you are still deciding what to dress up, here are the top 20 most topical costume choices this year, as chosen by British kids aged between six and 14.

Gala Fairydean Rovers 2, Formartine United 1

Formartine defender Stuart Smith popped up with his first goal of the season to book the Highlanders’ place in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Gala Fairydean Rovers’ cup dreams ended for another year following a tense replay at Netherdale on Saturday.

The Lowland League side had just equalised through American Jacob Campbell and had their tails up.

But 30-year-old Smith got on the end of an Andrew Greig cross to head the ball into the bottom corner of the net, past the diving Fraser Morton.

Smith said: “I have been getting a bit of stick from the boys saying it was an own goal but I am claiming it.

“It’s on film, so that should clear it up.

“The goal came at an important time for us after they had equalised.

“But I felt we finished the game strongly and deserved the win in the end.

“We have now got a home tie in the third round against East Kilbride, which will be tough but we’ll give it a good go.”

There was little choose between the teams in an even first half.

But the game burst into life when striker Garry Wood held off Ben Herdman on the hour mark and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Gala FR hit back in the 68th minute when Campbell latched on to a pass from Levi Kinchant and drilled his shot past ‘keeper Kevin Main.

However, it was Smith who proved to be the match winner with a 73rd minute counter.

Gala almost took it to extra time right at the death when substitute Phil Addison’s 20-yarder produced a fine save from Main.

Gala manager Neil Hastings said:”I can’t fault the effort of the players.

“But they (Formartine) are a good side and good luck to them in the next round.”

Little witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls filled the grounds of Traquair House at the weekend.

More than 800 visitors donned their scary costumes and took part in scavenger hunts, ghost tours and Halloween-inspired games ... our photographer Bill McBurnie was along to capture all the ghoulish goings-on.

Three men have admitted carrying out a joint assault in Jedburgh town centre on Hogmanay, leaving their victim seriously injured.

Liam Cleghorn, 20, of Canongate in Jedburgh; Jack Hay, 22, of Thornfield Crescent in Selkirk; and Sean Sutherland, 26, of Cairnmount in Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching and kicking the man to the body in the town’s Abbey Place to his severe injury.

Cleghorn was given an eight-month night-time home curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am as an alternative to custody.

Hay and Sutherland were each ordered to carry out 110 hours’ unpaid work.

A failed attempt has been made to steal money from one of the Borders’ fee-charging public conveniences.

The toilet block targeted was the one in Shedden Park in Kelso.

An attempt was made to break into the coin-operated system on the door of the public toilets, but the would-be thieves gave up and went away empty-handed.

It is not known when that theft bid was carried out other than that it was between Tuesday, October 1, and Tuesday, October 15.

Potential witnesses are asked to call Kelso police station, in Coal Market, on 101, quoting incident number 0958 of October 15.

Alternatively, information can be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online via crimestoppers-uk.org